In an era of online information, a paper invitation on the fridge may seem quaint. But for one church, an unwanted flyer sparked controversy.
The neighborhood church printed invites to a community celebration. A displeased neighborhood resident posted the flyer on TikTok, they first showed the flyer, then showed their no soliciting sign, then they showed themselves leaving a 1-Star review on Google. The video went viral, prompting other people to post 1-star Google reviews.
The church responded gracefully in three steps:
- They apologized to anyone bothered, explaining their goal was community building, not selling. They still welcomed all to the event.
- They reported inaccurate reviews to Google since reviewers had no church interaction.
- They asked congregants to share personal experiences with the church, to showcase the church’s true nature.
Within a week, Google ratings improved as community support surfaced. Though initially negative, the viral video ultimately raised church awareness and recruited new congregants with uplifting testimonies.
The church transformed a PR crisis into community connection. Their graceful response resonated widely.
Want details on this uplifting story or crisis management approaches? Email me! JClauser@churchcommunications.com
Responses